h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm finishing up med school here and the Match happens in a few weeks.

Basically after med school you go into a "residency" program to be an apprentice in your selected field of medicine (pediatrics, surgery, etc). The residency lasts 3-5 years depending on the type of medicine and the hospital at which you train.

The Match works like this:
I rank all the programs I like (all of which i interview at and do some research about)

All the programs I apply to rank me, or choose to NOT rank me.

An algorithm looks at the two lists and decides where I will spend the next 4 years of my life.


Now there is a chance that I WILL NOT MATCH. This will happen if programs don't like that my grades are a little low and just don't rank me, or if they like OTHER candidates more than they like me.

If that happens, i might have to move out of Chicago. Where I own a home, where my wife works and where my entire family lives.

So I'm freaking out a little. Because I've only applied in Chicago the number of programs I'm looking at is far less than my classmates who will move anywhere in the country. that doesn't help me.

I have to submit my list in one week.
I'll find out IF I matched on March 17.
I'll find out WHERE I matched on March 20.

I got a month to go.
they should make this process a little MORE anxiety provoking. . .

So where did you end up matching?
... sorry about that... Life totally interfered...
-Pete

PTG!!! !!! !!!

Howdy there kitten, how's tricks?

Well, I'm very happily staying in Chicago. I got my second choice for my specialty (Physical Medicine and Rehab) and for my intern year I'll be doing Family Practice at a hostpial about 6 blocks from my house! It's a pretty easy residency I hear (whish is GOOD!).

So how are you doin'?

Friar, of the many !!! today

FRIAR J!!!!

Tricks are slick, how's the pup?

o.O Whoa, I just checked your personal space... Did we already discuss the fact that your chica has the same birthday as me??? o.O trippy!

Sounds like things are going awesome for you!!

Me? I'm right now... Well, I will be tomorrow morning anyhow. Tonight was a long night at work, we're having all these graduation people come in with their stinkin' copies. But during the week for the most part I sit at home and do... nothing. I love it! The forced relaxation is really letting me unwind like I wasn't able to do last summer. I am doing absolutely no projects this summer, just trying to get a car... Yes, at age 19 I am finally going to be able to drive!

Now let's just hope I don't end up buying a lemon.



-Pete, with a huge lack of knowledge about cars.

Nope I didn't know you shared a B-day with the lil one. Very cool.

I wish I could help you with car advice, but the only people know less than I do about cars died in the 18th century. It's nice to have a summer break. I actually have three weeks off before I start my residency, so I'm getting stuff finished before I'm to busy to do ANYTHING. But I get to sleep in every day (we have a nanny to watch the baby, "when i'm at work" heh heh).

Friar

Yah, I think that's awesome!

I don't know, I think I'm pretty good competition with you for that title...

I hope you get all the stuff done that you need to... but yay for sleeping in!! That is the rest of my summer, except for a few choice days...

-Pete, halfway to being a sun-baked tanning goddess!